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Show 98 authorities. On March 8, after twelve days of consultations with Mormon leaders, he left for the army's winter encampment at Camp Scott without any commitment from Brigham Young. On the morning of February 25, the day of Colonel Kane's arrival in the Mormon capital, George A. Smith took the stage to Provo, forty miles to the south. He returned the following day. Although Smith's purpose in going to Provo is unknown, it is conjectured that it was to inform the local church authorities about the new policy of searching out the White Mountain district and to begin the organization of a contigent of the expedition from Utah County. Brigham Young had sent letters to the authorities in the South, but no copies were sent to the Bishops north of Fillmore. From the final composition of the White Mountain Expedition, it is apparent that Utah and Salt Lake counties lent considerable personell to the mission; therefore, it is probable that the instructions were delivered in person. George W. Bean of Provo wrote in his journal that it was about March 1 that President Young called him "to make up a small company & proceed to explore the Desert regions west of Fillmore and Beaver to find hiding places for the people to flee to."? Smith's quick return to Salt Lake may have been prompted by the arrival of Lyman and Kane in the city. As they had to pass through Provo on their journey to Salt Lake, Smith would have been aware of them. Nevertheless, the Apostle returned to Provo the following week where he spent six days. On the evening of March 6, Smith attended a council meeting of the principal authorities of the Provo Stake;^ therefore, all the settlements of Utah County were represented. The contents of this meeting are admittedly speculative; however, Smith undoubtedly unfolded more of the plan to explore the White Mountains and to organized a company tcom the local settlements. The following day was Sunday. In the 6 P.M. meeting in the American Fork chapel the subject of the White |
